What Is an Eagle in Golf? (The Great 2 Under Explained)
What is an eagle in golf? Like most golf terms, the definition of an eagle is straightforward; however, whether you plan on playing in a golf tournament or only on the weekend with friends, the likely hood of making an eagle on the golf course is low for the average golfer. Just how low, and what is the history of the term eagle in golf? I’ll answer these questions and explain how the average golfer can increase their eagle chances.
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What Is an Eagle in Golf? (Explained)
The straight answer for the definition of an eagle is a score on a golf hole that results in two strokes under par. In other words, if you’re playing a par 5 and get the ball in the hole in three strokes, you have just made an eagle; on a par 4, it would be two strokes. Par 3s are slightly different as two under par is considered a hole-in-one—an even rarer golf achievement.
The History of an Eagle in Golf
The golf term eagle was adopted soon after the term birdie was introduced to the game in 1899 in the United States. According to “Fifty Years of American Golf,” by H.B. Martin, during a match at the Atlantic City CC., a golfer hit their approach shot within inches of the hole and used 19th-century American slang to describe the shot, stating, “That was a bird of a shot…” The term bird was used to describe something excellent. Eagle was adopted into golf not long after to describe a shot one stroke better than a birdie, and both of these golf scoring terms are still used in the game today.
How Rare Is an Eagle?
Ever since its integration into the game of golf, an eagle has been one of the most coveted scores to card for a given hole and is as rare as ever for the average golfer; however, an eagle is not impossible for the average golfer to make; but, making one either involves luck or increasing the opportunities available. In other words, the more chances a golfer has to make an eagle, the more likely they will get one.
During the 2022 season on the top men’s professional golf tour in the world (the PGA Tour), Patrick Rodgers had the most eagles, totaling 21 during 89 rounds of golf—that’s about one eagle every 4.5 rounds he played. Rodgers’ eagle percentage is high compared to the average golfer. Many golfers go their entire lives without ever carding an eagle.
Why It’s Hard to Score an Eagle in Golf
Eagles are such an uncommon occurrence due to the chances available to make one during any given round of golf. The best chance for making an eagle is on a par 5 hole. Usually, only golfers who can hit their tee shot a long distance and hit their golf ball in or around the fairway can reach the green in two shots on a par 5 for an eagle putt.
Pro Tip: If you want more chances at an eagle on the course, you need all the distance off the tee you can get. I use the SuperSpeed Golf Training System to gain clubhead speed and distance with my driver and all the clubs in my bag. The SuperSpeed program calls for using the training system a few times weekly, and each session only takes 10 to 15 minutes.
How Rare Is an Eagle on a Par 4?
Although it’s possible to make an eagle by holing out a chip, pitch, or even a second shot on a par 4, the odds of doing so are far less than making a putt. In other words, fewer opportunities equal a lower likely hood of making an eagle. In fact, for a non-professional golfer or non-scratch player, eagles are rare; some golfers go their entire career without going two under par on a single hole.
How to Increase Your Eagle Chances
Although making an eagle is no easy feat, and most amateur golfers must get lucky, you can still improve your chances of getting one by practicing correctly. Correct practice is entirely different than just practicing for the sake of practicing. A practice routine built around improving by a golf teaching professional is ideal for golfers looking to take their game to the next level.
Before beginning a solid practice routine, a golfer must have something to work on in their game. Only during a golf lesson from a trained golf professional can a player learn the correct movements for the golf swing and the proper way to hit short game shots, such as chips, pitches, and even a practice routine designed for their putting game.
A golfer can significantly increase their odds of making an eagle by hitting more fairways, dialing in approach shots and wedges, and practicing the short game and putting. However, improving in golf can only be done through a good practice schedule and dedication to the game.
Bonus: What is an albatross in golf? The albatross, or double eagle, is even rarer and better than an eagle because when a golfer makes an albatross, they are carding a score of 3 under par for a single hole.
Perfect Practice Yields Amazing Results
Check out this practice schedule I used to work on my game when playing professionally. Perhaps it’s not perfect for you, but it’s an excellent place to start building a routine that will improve your golf game and get you closer to making more eagles, birdies, pars, and, perhaps, even the highly coveted hole-in-one. Feel free to modify it or share it with your golf instructor.
